TRIBUTES have been pouring in from across Oxfordshire following the terror attack in Nice last night.

At least 80 people, including several children are dead after a lorry drove into crowds during Bastille Day celebrations in Nice, France.

A further 18 people are in a critical condition and French president Francois Hollande said the country's state of emergency would be extended for a another three months.

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Oxford Mail:

Oxfordshire City Council has lowered the flag as a mark of respect following the incident.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron took to twitter describing the events as a "sickening and dreadful attack."

The Witney MP said: "A sickening and dreadful attack in Nice.

"I know we stand with the French people and share their values.

"They shall never defeat us."

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey said: "I was horrified to hear the terrible news from Nice this morning, it is absolutely devastating and my thoughts are with all those affected at this tragic time."

The Director of Oxford Islamic Information Centre Dr Hojjat Ramzy has expressed his shock at last night's atrocity.

He said: "We are all shocked at the killings of these innocent people by a crazed and evil man who did not care for the sanctity of any life. 

"This is a new kind of attack, sickening and horrifying."

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those killed and injured, and I pray that the Lord may grant peace and patience to all friends and families of these good people."

Mr Hollande also said that a military operation was in place that would allow the mobilisation of 10,000 military officers and that police from across the country would be called to assist their colleagues in Nice.

The country borders will be tightened and would show "real force and military action in Syria and Iraq", Mr Hollande said.

Oxford Mail:

Regional hospitals have been warned to expect an influx of the injured and the president urged citizens to be aware of security over the busy national holiday weekend.

"We are in a war with terrorists who want to strike us at any price and in a very violent way," the minister said.

Back home Thames Valley Police chief constable Francis Habgood expressed his sadness on discovering the news last night.

He tweeted: "So sad to leave the amazing Police Bravery awards to hear the news from Nice.

"Thoughts will all those affected."

Prime Minister Theresa May has condemned the "horrifying attack" and said Britain we must "redouble our efforts to defeat these brutal murderers who want to destroy our way of life."

French president Francois Hollande led a wave of tributes from world leaders saying: "France has been hit by a tragedy once again. This monstrosity of using a lorry to deliberately kill people, many people, who only came out to celebrate their national day.

"France is in tears. It is hurting but it is strong, and she will be strong, always stronger than the fanatics who wish to hurt us."

French prosecutors earlier said they had launched a terrorism investigation after the lorry careered through the packed seafront for hundreds of yards as crowds watched fireworks.

Nice regional president Christian Estrosi said guns and grenades were found in the lorry, whose driver was shot dead by police.

The politician, who was at the celebration when the carnage happened, said: "This is the worst Nice drama of history.

"We are terrified and we want to present to all the families our sincere condolences.

Nice prosecutor Jean-Michel Prette said bodies were strewn about along the road.

Mr Brandet said no hostages had been taken and the lorry driver had been "neutralised", adding that authorities were investigating if he acted alone.

Oxford Mail:

Pictures and footage shown on social media showed crowds fleeing in terror from the scene on the Promenade des Anglais, which was busy with revellers celebrating and watching fireworks.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots and pictures on social media showed armed police with weapons trained on a badly damaged white lorry with bullet holes in the windscreen.

France is still on alert after the Paris terror attacks on November 13, in which 130 people were killed at sites including the Bataclan Theatre and Stade de France.

The state of emergency initiated after those attacks which has now been extended was due to be lifted later this month.

Oxford Mail:

Lawyer Harjit Sarang was among those caught up in the terror with her children.

The Londoner tweeted: "Running through crowds in Nice with kids and terrified. Never taking kids to a public event again. Finally back to hotel. Hate this!"

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are deeply concerned about reports of an incident in Nice and are in touch with the local authorities to seek more information.

"Our thoughts are with those affected and we stand by to help any British nationals."

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister is being kept updated on reports coming in from Nice.

"We are shocked and concerned by the scenes there. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible incident on what was a day of national celebration.

"The FCO are in touch with the local authorities to seek more information and we stand ready to help any British nationals and to support our French partners."

New Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson tweeted that he was "shocked and saddened by the appalling events in Nice, and the terrible loss of life".

A Rihanna concert scheduled for Friday night at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice has been cancelled, as have the city's jazz festival which was due to run from Saturday to Wednesday and some of the Bastille celebrations over the weekend.